Viscosity detector having a node alignment mechanism

Abstract

A vibrating member, including a vibration transmission shaft, is adapted to vibrate a liquid viscosity detector with respect to an axis of the shaft. The liquid viscosity detector is disposed at one end of the vibration transmission shaft so it can be dipped in a liquid to be measured. A bearing portion is disposed at an intermediate position of the vibration transmission shaft. The viscosity detector includes an inertia mass disposed on the vibration transmission shaft along the central axis thereof. The viscosity detector is positioned on the opposite side of the shaft relative to the liquid detector, with the bearing portion located therebetween. Also provided is a node alignment mechanism for displacing the whole inertia mass along the central axis of the shaft, or a part of the inertia mass toward or away from the shaft axis or along the direction of the axis.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A viscosity detector comprising: a vibration transmission shaft having a first end, a second end, and a central longitudinal axis;   a vibration member connected to said first end of said vibration transmission shaft;   a liquid detector connected to said second end of said vibration transmission shaft;   a bearing portion disposed at an intermediate position of said vibration transmission shaft between said vibration member and said liquid detector;   an inertia mass connected to said first end of said vibration transmission shaft along the central axis thereof; and   a node alignment mechanism for displacing at least a portion of said inertia mass in a direction toward or away from the central axis of said vibration transmission shaft.   
     
     
       2. The viscosity detector as claimed in claim 1, wherein said inertia mass is displaceable along the central axis of said vibration transmission shaft. 
     
     
       3. The viscosity detector as claimed in claim 1, wherein said node alignment mechanism comprises: a first threaded shaft extending from said inertia mass in a direction which is perpendicular to said central axis; and   a second threaded shaft, which is diametrically opposed to said first threaded shaft, extending from said inertia mass in a direction which is perpendicular to said central axis,   wherein a first portion and a second portion of said inertia mass are threadedly mounted on said first and second threaded shafts, respectively.   
     
     
       4. A viscosity detector comprising: a vibration transmission shaft having a first end, a second end, and a central longitudinal axis;   a vibration member connected to said first end of said vibration transmission shaft;   a liquid detector connected to said second end of said vibration transmission shaft;   a bearing portion disposed at an intermediate position of said vibration transmission shaft between said vibration member and said liquid detector;   an inertia mass connected to said first end of said vibration transmission shaft; and   a node alignment mechanism for displacing at least a part of said inertia mass along the direction of the central axis of said vibration transmission shaft.   
     
     
       5. The viscosity detector as claimed in claim 4, wherein said node alignment mechanism comprises a threaded shaft extending from said inertia mass along the central axis of said vibration transmission shaft, and a portion of said inertia mass is threadedly engaged with said threaded shaft for movement along the central axis of said vibration transmission shaft.